Lela Parker, age 90, of Waycross, Georgia, died Tuesday evening at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems of Waycross.

She was born in Covington, Virginia, to the late Lewis Payne and Lela Schuder Payne.

Mrs. Parker has made Waycross her home since 1955.

She received an undergraduate degree from Randolph Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, VA, her graduate degree from Columbia University in New York City, and continuing graduate work from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia.

Mrs. Parker worked for Tusculum College, Duke University, Okefenokee RESA, and was the Special Education Director for the Pierce County School System. She retired in June of 1989.

Mrs. Parker was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Waycross, where she served as the financial secretary from 1962 until 1972. She also served as a circle leader and taught Sunday school. She was also a member of the Council for Exceptional Children, Georgia Association of Educators, National Education Association and the Green Thumb Garden Club.

Along with her parents she was preceded in death by a brother, James Alvin Payne and a sister, Clara Eugenia Payne.

Mrs. Parker is survived by two sons, Jamie A. Parker, III and his wife, Ellen of Richmond Hill, GA, David Burke Parker of Winchester, VA; one daughter, Melissa Anne Parker Ramsey and her husband, Tim of Greeley, CO; three grandchildren, James Lewis Parker, Austin Shaw Parker, Sarah Elizabeth Parker; a great granddaughter, Aubrey Evangeline Parker and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 26, 2013, at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Lela Parker will be held at a later date in Waycross, Georgia.

Local arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.